Morning musings on the gospel

Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the Messiah of God. Into his hands has been placed Lordship over heaven and earth. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. The book of my life will be opened, and by the Christ I will be judged.

I can try to obey and live into the prophetic word of Jesus’ teaching and example through my own power. I can try to write my name in the book by exertion and focus and will. But I will fail. Sooner or later, I will exhaust myself. Sooner or later, the chains of sin that bind me will pull me back to the ground. Sooner or later, the sweet words of the tempter will ease the sting.

I need grace. By the atoning sacrifice of the lamb of God, the shackles of sin can be shattered. By the power of the Holy Spirit my feeble strength can be renewed. Like the bent woman who came to Jesus, I can stand upright again at the word of Jesus. But I need grace. I need grace to hear the word spoken. I need grace to lift my hand to take the gift. I need grace to stand again.

But this new birth of freedom from sin is just a first day in the life of God. I am called to live as a citizen of the light amid the darkness of the world. I am called to love every creature of God. I am called to daily put off the promptings of the flesh and close my ears to the tempter’s sweet words.

I am called day-by-day to say: My God is my all. I will take up my cross and follow him. I will complete the race God has set for me to run. The best of all is God is with us.